He's the man behind some of the most prestigious names in wine, including Bordeaux's Pichon Baron and Portugal's Quinta do Noval, and now AXA Millésimes managing director Christian Seely is behind the mic on the newest episode of Wine Spectator's Straight Talk podcast.

"People do not drink Château Pichon because they're trying to get the alcohol content," Seely tells Straight Talk host James Molesworth. "There are a lot cheaper ways of doing that. They drink these wines because they love them. And we have to make sure that the wines we are making give people something to discover, so that magical moment really means something."

Seely also shares memories of growing up with his wine writer father, the bottle they shared that sparked Seely's passion, and many more highlights—and insights—from his long and accomplished career in wine.

And don't forget, there's always more free content at WineSpectator.com!

• 2025 Wine Spectator New York Wine Experience Tickets & Info

• Read more about Christian Seely

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A podcast from Wine Spectator

Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher

Host: James Molesworth

Director: Robert Taylor

Producer: Gabriela Saldivia

Guest: Christian Seely

Assistant producer, Napa: Elizabeth Redmayne-Titley

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Occidental winemaker Catherine Kistler grew up with an in-house wine legend: California Chardonnay icon, and also her dad, Steve. But Catherine came home to make Pinot Noir in 2017, and they landed at No. 2 on Wine Spectator’s 2023 Top 10 Wines of the Year.

“In California we’re always self-conscious of being young compared to the Old World,” she tells host James Molesworth. “And to have the opportunity to work with 25-year-old vines now, I’m absolutely excited about it. Are we seeing changes as the vineyard matures? Of course, the answer is ‘Yes.’”.

Wine Spectator senior editor for news Mitch Frank joins the program as well, for a chat about the latest wine and health news, what proposed tariffs on wine could mean for consumers, and more.

And don't forget, there's always more free content at WineSpectator.com!

• 2025 Wine Spectator Grand Tour Tickets & Info

• Occidental: Steve Kistler's Final Frontier

• Opinion: Surgeon General Opts for Simple Slogans Over Solid Science

• Wine Caught in Trade War Crossfire

• Opinion: Fear and Tariffs

• Wine Spectator's James Laube: 1951–2025

• Health News: Wine Does Not Raise Risks for Healthy Older Adults

• California Pinot Noir Tasting Report

• Latest News and Headlines

• Ask Dr. Vinny

• Sign up for Wine Spectator's free email newsletters

• Subscribe to Wine Spectator

A podcast from Wine Spectator

Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher

Host: James Molesworth

Director: Robert Taylor

Producer: Gabriela Saldivia

Guests: Catherine Kistler, Mitch Frank

Assistant producer, Napa: Elizabeth Redmayne-Titley

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's our season 2 finale and we're counting down Wine Spectator's Top 10 Wines of 2024!

But before James reveals this year's 10 most exciting wines, including Wine Spectator's 2024 Wine of the Year, we're taking a look at the economic state of the U.S. wine market with longtime industry insider Rocco Lombardo, president of Wilson Daniels, and our very own senior editor for news Mitch Frank.

And don't forget, there's always more free content at WineSpectator.com!

• Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of the Year for 2024

• Latest News and Headlines

• Ask Dr. Vinny

• Sign up for Wine Spectator's free email newsletters

• Subscribe to Wine Spectator

A podcast from Wine Spectator

Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher

Host: James Molesworth

Director: Robert Taylor

Producers: Gabriela Saldivia, Sam Popkin

Guests: Rocco Lombardo, Mitch Frank

Assistant producer, Napa: Elizabeth Redmayne-Titley

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.